R11.8m to refurbish Mandela centre

Johannesburg - The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg has received an R11.8m grant for its refurbishment from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

National Lottery board chairperson Alfred Nevhutanda said it was a contribution to maintain the Mandela legacy, as the world celebrated July as Mandela Month.

"The legacy left to us by Tata Mandela is most significant. We are proud that the ordinary people of South Africa, through participation in the National Lottery, are going to contribute to maintaining this rich legacy."

Nevhutanda said one of the fund's aims was to support projects which would leave a legacy.

The centre's premises in Houghton, Johannesburg, were first used by Mandela for his post-presidential work. After his retirement in 2004 it was turned into an archival and dialogue centre.

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, which would feature a permanent exhibition, would be opened to the public in mid-2013.

The centre's CEO Achmat Dangor said: "This grant will assist us in fulfilling Madiba’s mandate to make the record of his life and times available to the world, especially young to people."

Comments

andrew.mackie.90 - 2012-08-01 09:19

Surely there are more deserving causes that need funding urgently. While not wishing to distract from the legacy of Nelson Mandela believe funds could have been raised from other sources for this project.

luke.dekoker - 2012-08-01 09:53

Unfortunately they could not care two hoods.. Just another venture where funds can be rerouted!! Most of the poor "invest" in the National Lottery thus the "returns on investment" should rather go towards projects for them where they can benefit

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:42

Cynic tendencies, you can cry all you want, we will maintain Mandela legacy. Its for our children. Your approval is by the way not welcome.

Patricia Johns Willers - 2012-08-01 12:31

The Key School for Autistic children will close its doors soon due to lack of funds . i am sure that would be a better option to Mandela.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 15:02

@patricia, are you suggesting that we cannot do anything else simply because many people are poor? If that's the case, we weren't even suppose to spend millions of rands for the bloody olympics, for the bloody rhino poaching, for the bloody initiatives that research and preserve animals. all these things do not bring food to a poor man's table nor do they assist on our current social ills. Stop your double standards please.

Emily-Jane Elson - 2012-08-01 09:33

SEND IT TO THE HOSPITALS INSTEAD!!

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:44

are the hospitals out of funds? Is the Lottery board their source of funding? I know with you we rather refurbish Church Square in pta.

Emily-Jane Elson - 2012-08-01 14:00

GFY Azande!! Just cause I'm white you think that's why I want?? Why don't you shut your stupid mouth and stop making assumptions you racist idiot! You have no idea what I'm about so stop making assumptions you tard! Our hospitals REALLY need help. One day maybe when you're I. That situation you'll think about my comment and it'll all make sense to you. In the meantime, keep your stupid comments to yourself.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 14:35

@emily, my apologies if i offended you, it wasn't my intention. point here is that, government departments have their system in place which they use to fund their programmes. if a hospital is out of funds, health has to apply for more funding from treasury, that's the procedure and treasury always assist whichever department that submits a sound proposal asking for funds. Lottery board money is not earmarked for public service (governement), it is for social welfare and community based initiatives and this refurbishment is exactly falling within that category.

danny.levin.351 - 2012-08-01 09:52

For goodness sake!!!! Hopsitals without equipment, School children learning under trees, and the list is long. STOP WASTING MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure Mandela would be happier if that money is used to get relief to those who need it.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:46

Mandela is happy with the refurbishment. We wont live our legacy unattended to nurse your cynic tendencies.

sisie.indola - 2012-08-01 09:54

Throwing away money again, there are more deserving causes that require money more urgently than this.

trevor.pietersen.3 - 2012-08-01 10:05

Disgusting.....school books...houses...hospitals....old age homes...soup kitchens in need more.... bet the next amount to go to poor battling Eskom

fdalana - 2012-08-01 10:08

when wiil this so-called mandela legacy come to an end?

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:46

it will never, hence we preserve it by projects like these.

Wally Walters - 2012-08-01 14:27

Im just wondering ! how much of that 11 million is going to rich the centre and how much will be stolen

poshm.mis - 2012-08-01 10:15

l dont think Mandela would be happy with a centre named after him to be refurbished at R11.8m. Why dont they channel the money into something that will benefit society like refurbishing hospitals or schools.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:47

Mandela legacy benefits society, our children and tourists.

Emily-Jane Elson - 2012-08-01 14:03

Exactly! Our hospitals are in Dire Straits at the moment. It's shocking! Azande just thinks that we want other things so as not to carry on the Legacy and because we're white we want to take it away but refurbishments for R11.8million? Rather for a crisis now, which is hospitals in SA!!

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 14:37

@emily, see my reply under your above comment.

DamnTheMan - 2012-08-01 11:12

And how much will actually go into the project and how much is for the backhand ?
I there a way to see the tender and the quote ?

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 11:48

Its good to make sure the legacy of Madiba is well preserved. Thank you.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 14:53

@watchman, there is nothing wrong even biblically to build a monument for commemoration. Even in the bible, every time God did anything good, people would build a monument about the place and the incident. King David’s legacy still lives on today in Jewish nations. Why can’t we do that for Mandela, a prominent figure who is an icon to many human kinds in the universe, even more than King David?

andrew.mackie.90 - 2012-08-01 14:54

Nobody denies the right to preseve the Mandela legacy, all that is being stated funds from the lottery should be used for causes which are in dire need. Funds for the refurbishment can and should be raised from other sources and I am sure there are many that will donate to that end. However you seem to be making this a racist issue where whites feel monies from the lottery should be used for more charible needs.

azande.futhi - 2012-08-01 15:12

@Andrew, fair comment. the point I am making here is that, government has its own source of funding, National Treasury. We must not confuse issues here. If Department of Health does not have funds, they know what to do. National Treasury recieves billions of unspent funds every year from departments such as health. Its misleading to assume that Health does not have funds. National lottery has spent ti money on a rightful initiative, whether it was Zuma, Steve Biko, De Klerk legacy, for me it doesn't matter. Money has been allocated rightfully to a correct social initiative.